Adjustable stroke pumping power



July 22,1941. A. R. MAIER I ADJUSTABLE STRdKE PUMPING POWER Filed Jan. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 22, 1941. A. R. MAIER ADJUSTABLE STROKE PUMPING POWER Filed Jam. 16, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet? -m ME July 22, 1941.

A. R. MAIER ADJUSTABLE STROKE PUMPING POWER Filed Jan. 16. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet V The invention makes Patented July 22, 1941 ADJUSTABLE STROKE PUMPING PoWER August It. Maier, Dallas,

Tex., assignor to Oil Well Supply Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 16, 1940, Serial No. 314,166

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in a pumping power of the type used for simultaneously pumping a group of wells from a central location by the transmission of power through red lines emanating from the central pumping power to each of a plurality of pumping jacks.

A primary object of the invention is to provide means for making an adjustable stroke available in the pumping of the wells. Stroke length is ordinarily changed at the pumping jack, thus necessitating stroke multiplication at the jack, which increases the pull rod loads and results in higher stresses on the pull rods, with accompanying premature jack failures.

Under the teachings of the present invention, minimum multiplication can be used at the jack, and the stroke increase or change can be provided for by a proper adjustment at the crank.

it possible to apply a pumping power early in the life of the wells, after a given well has first 'been put on pump; the stroke can then be gradually shortened as the well becomes depleted. Alternatively the stroke can be lengthened when water is encountered in the well, which requires the lifting of more fluid.

The invention will be fully apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out with particularity in the appended claim.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating a central pumping power with a multiplicity of rods emanating therefrom for transmitting motion to several pumping jacks;

Figure 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through a pumping power embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section thereof on line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a modified detail of construction; and

gure 5 illustrates another modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Figure 1 is a general View showing a central pumping powor which is provided with a crank pin l5, hereinafter referred to, which carries a member M effective to transmit the motion of the crank pin to a plurality of rod lines R each of which is connected to a respective jack of the type used in pumping oil wells and the like.

The improved pumping power is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, as embodied in a 100 horsepower single crank geared power assembly. The

power comprises a base In on which there is mounted a stationary spindle II. This base is of rugged construction and is formed with reinforcing ribs lfl as shown. The spindle carries two sets of roller bearings l2 and IS, the lower one constituting a rotatable support for a large gear l4, while the upper bearing rotatably supports a crank T. 1

A prime mover not shown transmits power to a drive shaft S, which through bevel gearing G and pinion P drives the lower gear l4 and the crank T simultaneously. Thusthe prime mover, acting through the crank T, transmits rotary mo tion to the crank pin l5, which is mounted on the crank, in a novel manner to be hereinafter more fully described, so as to provide an adjustable crank pin stroke.

On the crank pin [5 there is mounted, with freedom for rotation relative thereto, a member M from which a multiplicity of rod lines R emanate and connect with the pumping jacks of a number of wells. As thus arranged, it is apparent that the stroke for the pumping jack of each well depends upon the relative position of the crank pin l5 to the center of rotation thereof. It is an important aspect of the present invention to provide means for varying the distance between the axis of the crank pin and its center of rotation. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, this desirable result is obtained by providing a two-part crank including members l6 and H, the upper member l'l being adjustably secured to the lower member I6. The member I6 is formed with a circular journal portion Ili the central axis x of which is eccentric to the central axis of the member 16, which latter axis coincides with the axial center line of the spindle ll. As thus arranged, it is apparent that the top member l1 may be secured by bolts IS in numerous positions of angular adjustment, depending upon the number of bolt hole positions. Thus the crank pin carried by the upper member 11 is capable of being'adjusted to a variety of positions relative to the axis of rotation. Obviously, with such an arrangement, a change in the angular position of the upper member I! with relation to the lower member l6 consequently changes the distance of the pin l5 from the center of its rotation. Such adjustment varies the stroke of the crank pin and thus efiects a proportional change in the pumping stroke of the jack connected with each of the wells.

A plurality of hold-down clips 20 serve to hold the upper member H in position, While the bolts l8 are being removed in order to adjust or relocate the member I "I relative to the member I6. As there are normally no endwise forces tending to separate the member I1 from the member IS, the clips are provided merely as a matter of precaution. The bolts I8 normally perform the function of taking all strain transmitted from the crank pin I 5 to the member I6. In the alternative construction illustrated in Figure 4, a radially split ring member I? is provided with an annular tongue I! which interfits with a groove I6 This modification provides a construction which eliminates the clips 20 but provides an equivalent precautionary or safety means.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the member I1 is mounted above the member I6. If desired, however, a member I! can be in the modified form (shown in Figure 5) of a member encircling a circular member I6 whose periphery I9 can be eccentric to the axis yy of the spindle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention provides for adjustment of the member H, on which the crank pin I5 is mounted, relative to the rotating member I6. Hence there will be provided a change in the distance from the center of the crank pin to its axis of rotation. The adjustment is made in the construction of Figures 1 to 3 simply by removing the bolts I8 and rotating the member I1, securing the same firmly to the member I6 by repositioning the bolts I8 through the bolt holes provided for the purpose. In the modification of Figure 5 the adjustment is made by relocating bolts l8 in holes in the periphery of member I6 Consequently, in both embodiments of the in vention illustrated, the throw of the pull rods actuated by the crank pin will vary directly with th distance between the center of the crank pin and the axis about which the crank rotates.

While I have described quite specifically the embodiment of the invention illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the invention as defined in th appended claim.

I claim:

An adjustable stroke pumping power for a plurality of wells including a base, a stationary vertical spindle mounted on the base, an annular horizontal supporting member rotatably mounted on the spindle, means for rotating said member, an annular horizontal crank member supported by the supporting member, a vertical crank pin secured to the crank member for driving connection with the plurality of wells, said supporting member having an upwardly extending annular journal disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of the spindle and said crank member having a complemental annular recess on the under side thereof for rotatably engaging the journal, whereby the throw of the crank pin about the spindle may be varied by rotating the supporting member, said annular members having equally spaced bolt openings about their peripheral portions, and bolts in said openings for securing said members together.

AUGUST R. MAIER. 

